Electric console cigarette merchandising machine



Feb. 6, 1962 c. GABRIELSEN ET AL ELECTRIC CONSOLE CIGARETTEMERCHANDISING MACHINE '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 28, 1954 5% H Y RS CF. 2% .W 2 m m V85 7 N P IKWVRS n WE m W T 5 RN 0H4 Feb. 6, 1962 c.GABRIELSEN ET AL 3,019,941

ELECTRIC CONSOLE CIGARETTE MERCHANDISING MACHINE Filed Jan. 28, 1954 '7Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR-S CHRIST/HM GflBR/ELSEN HPHND VOEPER/HNHA/DREW UKOV/CH 14 TTOENfY ELECTRIC CONSOLE CIGARETTE MERCHANDISINGMACHINE Filed Jan. 28, 1954 Feb. 6, 1962 c. GABRIELSEN ET AL '7Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TORS CHE/57m GHBRIELSEN Hem/0 VORPEE/HA/ fluoxeswE. SUKOV/CH BY LgQWL H TTOPNE Y ELECTRIC CONSOLE CIGARETTE MERCHANDISINGMACHINE Filed Jan. 28, 1954 Feb. 6, 1962 c. GABRIELSEN ET AL 7Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS (HP/$714M GflBR/ELSEA/ Mae/v0 VOPRER/HN 14A/2514 f.

KOV/CH RTTDPNEY Feb. 6, 1962 c. GABRlELSEN ET AL 3,019,941

ELECTRIC CONSOLE CIGARETTE MERCHANDISING MACHINE '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 FiledJan. 28, 1954 INVENTORS CHE/5774M Ga e/ass Men/v0 VORPE-E/QN quoesw EUKOl/ICH BY L HTTOPMEY Feb. 6, 1962 c. GABRIELSEN ET AL ELECTRIC CONSOLECIGARETTE MERCHANDISING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 'll I M mwmm E 0 E l NT/EV P NEEO O EBPK T Vafw T m w a H m N a ERDSQ Filed Jan. 28, 1954 niterates Our invention relates to merchandising machines and moreparticularly to an electric console cigarette merchandising machinewhich has a large capacity, which is adapted to dispense a large varietyof brands of cigarettes and which efficiently utilizes the cabinet spaceavailable in the machine.

Cigarette merchandising machines of the prior art have a limitedcapacity and are adapted to dispense only a small number of differentbrands of cigarettes. With the increasing popularity of a greater numberof brands of cigarettes and with the increasing sale of king sizecigarettes, it has become necessary to provide a cigarette merchandisingmachine which is adapted to dispense a greater variety of brands thanthe machines of the prior art. We have invented an improved cigarettemerchandising machine which has a large capacity and which is adapted todispense a great variety of brands of cigarettes. Merchandising machinesof the prior art are, moreover, generally tall so that they cannot beinstalled in many desirable locations. The machines of the prior art donot etficiently utilize their cabinet space since the drive andselecting means take up considerable space in the machine cabinet. Thesemachines provide side shift columns which successively shift columns ofpackages of cigarettes to a position where they may be acted upon by thedispensing mechanism of the machine. These side shift columnsnecessitate the use of a complicated and expensive actuating mechanism.Our improved machine employs a simple operating mechanism whicheliminates the side shift columns of the prior art and which enables usto utilize efficiently the cabinet space of the machine. Our machines,in addition, are relatively short as compared with the machines of theprior art so that.

they may be installed in locations in which it was impossible heretoforeto install a cigarette merchandising machine. We have provided tiers ofcontainers, or columns, arranged one behind the other as well as rowsof. containers in side by side arrangement. Our machine is provided withmeans for preventing the jamming of packs in adjacent columns of a tier.We have provided a machine which is easier to load. Our machine has animproved match dispensing assembly in which a plurality of columns ofmatches is provided, and the arrangement is such that the cigarettes andmatches are dispensed to the same location in the delivery tray of themachine. The arrangement of our invention is such that the pack ofcigarettes next to be dispensed from any column is displayed where itmay be viewed by the customer.

One object of our invention is to provide an improved merchandisingmachine which has a large capacity and which is adapted to dispense alarge number of brands of cigarettes.

Another object of our invention is to provide an improved merchandisingmachine Which efiiciently utilizes the cabinet space provided in themachine.

A further object of our invention is to provide an improvedmerchandising machine in which the pack next to be dispensed from acolumn is displayed so that it may be viewed by the customer.

Yet another object of our invention is to provide an atent O ml improvedmerchandising machine having an improved match dispensing assembly.

A still further object of our invention is to provide an improvedmerchandising machine which is easy to load.

Another object of our invention is to provide an ima provedmerchandising machine which may be housed in a cabinet which is lowerthan cigarette merchandising machines of the prior art without adecrease in capacity, so that it may be installed in locationsheretofore inaccessible to cigarette merchandising machines.

Other and further objects of our invention will appear from thefollowing description.

In general, our invention contemplates the provision of an improvedelectric console cigarette merchandising machine including a cabinet inwhich we arrange a number of tiers or series of columns containing thevarious brands of cigarettes to be dispensed. The respective columns ofeach series or tier are arranged one behind the other from the front tothe back of the machine. Below each' series of columns we provide a pairof guide rails carrying a reciprocating dispensing slide. The forwardend of each dispensing slide normally supports the pack of cigarettesnext to be dispensed over the dispensing chute and in a position whereit may be viewed by the customer through a window provided in thecabinet door. A number of pushers corresponding to the number of columnsin the associated series of columns are carried by each of therespective slides. Before a dispensing cycle is initiated all thepushers except the last pusher are disposed in front of the column ofcigarettes upon which they are to act. The rear pusher is disposed belowthe level of the lowest pack of cigarettes in any column. When adispensing operation is initiated, the slide is moved rearwardly of themachine and the forward end is slid from under the pack to be dispensedso that the pack falls into the dispensing chute. As the slide movesrearwardly, all pushers save the rear pusher slide under the lowermostpacks in their respective columns so as to be disposed behind thelowermost packs of the columns of a tier at the completion of therearward stroke. of the slide. At a point near the end of the rearwardstroke of the slide, the rear pusher is moved upwardly and latched in aposition behind the lowest pack in the rear column. On the forward orreturn stroke of the slide, each of the pushers engages and carriesforward a package from its respective-column. The rear column ofcigarettes move down one pack and, at the end of the forward stroke, therear pusher is unlatched so that it falls below the level of the lowestpack in any column. It will be appreciated that at this time, theforward end of the slide supports another pack over the dispensing chuteand the machine is ready for the next operation. To prevent fouling orjamming of the packs, we provide batiies between adjacent columns of theseries of columns.

in order to reciprocate the dispensing slides, We provide a common drivemeans for all slides and individually actuatablc coupling meansassociated with each slide. The arrangement is such that When aparticular brand is to be selected, a selecting button is pushed toengage the coupling means associated with the selected series of columnswith the drive means. We provide our machine with means to ensure thatonly a single coupling means may be engaged with the drive means on eachoperation of the machine.

We provide an improved match dispensing assembly including a number ofcolumns of matches, each column of which is associated with a series ofcolumns of cigarettes. This match dispensing assembly is operated fromthe actuating means associated with the respective series of columns todispense a packet of matches each time a package of cigarettes isdispensed. The arrangement is 3 such that the package of cigarettes andthe packet of matches are dispensed at the same location along thedispensing tray of the machine. Our improved cigarette merchandisingmachine is provided with means facilitating the loading operation.

In the accompanying drawings which form part of the instantspecification and which are to be read in conjunction therewith and inwhich like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in thevarious views:

' FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of our improved electric consolecigarette machine.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary sectional view drawn on an enlarged scale ofour improved electric console merchandising machine taken along the line22 of FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional view drawn on an enlarged scale ofour improved electric console merchandising machine taken along the line33 of FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional view drawn on an enlarged scale ofour improved electric console merchandising machine with parts removedtaken along the line 44 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional view drawn on an enlarged scale ofour improved electric console merchandising machine with parts removedtaken along the line 5-5 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary sectional view drawn on an enlarged scale ofour improved electric console merchandising machine with parts removedtaken along the line 6-6 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary perspective view drawn on an enlarged scale ofour improved electric console merchandising machine showing thedispensing slide assembly.

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view drawn on an enlarged scale of a portionof our improved electric console merchandising machine showing the drivemotor starting means.

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary perspective view drawn on an enlarged scaleshowing the improved match dispensing assembly of our improved electricconsole merchandising machine.

FIGURE 10 is a front view of a portion of our improved electric consolemerchandising machine showing the match dispensing assembly.

More particularly referring now to the drawings, our improved electricconsole merchandising machine includes a cabinet, indicated generally bythe reference character 10, mounted on a pair of base members 12 and 14and including a front panel 16 mounted by hinges 17 on cabinet 10. Thefront panel 16 is provided at one side thereof with a coin slot 18, acoin return button 20, and a coin return slot 22 all of which are wellknown in the art. A number of selecting buttons 24 are arranged acrossthe front of panel 16 and are associated respectively each with aparticular brand of cigarettes in a manner which will be describedhereinafter. Door 16 has a window 26 fixed therein through which thepackages of cigarettes next to be dispensed from the respective columnsmay be viewed by the customer. A delivery tray 28 provides a means bywhich the customer gains access to the mechandise.

Referring now more particularly to FIGURES 2, 3, and 7, we provide abracket 30 mounted on the rear panel 32 of housing 10 by any suitablemeans such as rivets 34. A plurality of pairs of channeled guide rails36 and 38 are fixed at one end to bracket 30 by means such as weldingand are supported on a U-shaped bracket 40 fixed between the sides ofhousing 10. A plurality of partitions 42 are supported between adjacentpairs of rails 36 and 38 and extend upwardly therefrom. These partitions42 and flanges 44 between adjacent partitions 42 form columns in whichwe dispose packages of cigarettes. As can be seen by reference to FIGURE3, the partitions 42 and flanges 44 form the two rear columns 46 and 48of a series of columns. The front column 50 of each series of columns isformed by pivotally mounted partitions 52 having vertical flanges 54 and56 extending from the sides thereof at the edges of the partition. Amember 58 fixed to a bracket 60 attached to the frame of the machine bywelding or the like provides a pivotal support for arespective panel 52.An ear 62 formed at the base of each panel 52 is pivotally secured bymeans of a pin 64 to the member 58. It will be appreciated that when thefront door 16is opened, the panels 52 may be pivoted forwardly so thataccess may be had to the rear columns 46 and 48 and the machine may bereadily loaded. An angle iron 66 is secured by means such as welding tothe flanges 54 and 56 at the front of each of the partitions 52 so thatthe partitions move as a unit. In order to hold panels 52. and thecolumns formed thereby in an upright position, we provide a pair oflatches arranged on the outboard sides of the series of columns adjacenteither side of the machine. A latch 61 is pivoted by a pin 63 on thepanel 42 forming the outboard side of the column adjacent one side ofthe machine. Latch 61 engages a pin fixed to the panel 52 of the column58 adjacent the side of the machine. A spring 67 is fixed at one end ofthe latch 61 and at the other end to the panel 42 to resiliently urgelatch 61 into engagement with pin 65. A similar arrangement is providedat the other side of the machine.

We provide pivoted bafiles 79 and 81 mounted, respectively, on pins 83and 85 extending between partitions 42 adjacent the lower ends offlanges 44. As can be seen by reference to FIGURE 3, baflie 79 isdisposed between columns 48 and 50 and baffle 81 between columns 46 and48. These baffies prevent interference between packages of cigarettes ofadjacent columns during the forward movement of slide 68 in a mannerwhich will be described hereinafter.

Below each series of columns 46, 48 and 50 we arrange a reciprocatingdispensing slide 68 carried between a pair of guides 36 and 38 in thechannels thereof. Each slide 68 is formed with a pair of dependinglongitudinal flanges 70 and 72 at the respective sides thereof. A firstpusher 74 is pivotally mounted by its ears 84 on the underside of slide68 on a shaft 76 extending between flanges 70 and 72. The pusher 74 isformed with an upwardly extending portion 78 adapted to extend through aslot 88 formed in the slide 68. A coil spring 82 surrounds shaft 76 andbears between an car 84 formed on the pusher 74 and flange 70 on theslide 68 to urge the pusher in a direction such that the portion 78extends through the slot in the slide. A second pusher 86 formed with anupwardly extending portion 88 is pivotally mounted on the underside ofslide 68 by means of its ears S t on a shaft 92 extending betweenflanges 70 and 72. Pusher 86 is resiliently urged by a coil spring 94 toa position where the portion 88 extends through an opening 96 in slide68.

The rear pusher 98 is pivoted by its ears 100 on a shaft 102 extendingbetween flanges 70 and 72 The underside of pusher 98 is formed with alug 104. A spring 106, fixed at one end to lug 104 and at the other endto a lug 108 on slide 68, normally urges pusher 98 in a clockwisedirection as viewed in FIGURE 3. The arrangement is such that when slide68 is moved rearwardly of the machine, an upwardly extending portion 110formed on pusher 98 engages bracket 30 at a point near the end of therearward stroke, so that the pusher is cammed upwardly against theaction of spring 106. This is the position of pusher 98 illustrated inbroken lines in FIGURE 3. In this position the upwardly extendingportion 110 of pusher 98 is behind the lowermost package of the rearcolumn of packages 46 and lies above the level of slide 68. When theslide 68 is returned to its initial position by the drive means, to beacro at described hereinafter, each of the pushers will engage and carryforward a package of cigarettes from one of the respective columns 46,and In order to ensure that the rear pusher 98 remains in its activeposition during the forward stroke of the slide, we provide a latchmember 112 having a pair of depending legs 114 and 116. Leg 116 isformed with a hook 118 which cooperates with a lug 129 extendinglaterally from pusher 98. Latch 112 is pivotally mounted adjacent flangeby the shaft 92 mounting the pusher 86. A spring 124, fixed at one endto leg 114 and at the other end to a pin 126 on flange 7t), normallyurges latch 112 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURES 3 and 7.When slide 63 is moved rearwardly so that pusher 98 is cammed upwardlyby bracket 39, lug snaps into engagement with the hook 118 formed on leg116. When the slide 68 is moved forwardly on its return stroke, latch112 holds pusher 98 in its active position so that it carries thelowermost pack of cigarettes in column 46 forward. In order to unlatchthe latch 112 at the end of the forward stroke so that slide 68 may bemoved rearwardly during the next operation, we provide a stop 128 fixedto bracket 4t) by any appropriate means such as a bolt 13%). When slide68 reaches a point near the end of its return stroke, leg 114 engagesstop 128 so that latch 112 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction torelease lug 129 and permit pusher 98 to drop to its inactive position.

it will be appreciated that on the forward or return stroke of the slide68 each of the pushers 74, 86, and 93 will engage and carry forward apackage of cigarettes from a respective column 50, 48 or 46., When thereturn stroke has been completed, the pushers will be in the positionsshown in full lines in FIGURE 3. In this posi-' tion the forward end ofthe slide 68 supports a package of cigarettes 132 under the window 26 inthe front panel 16 of the machine where it can be viewed by a customer.The slide is marked with an appropriate legend such as Sold Out toinform the customer that the supply of cigarettes in a particular seriesof columns is exhausted. This legend is in view only when not covered bya package of merchandise.

Package 132 is the next package to be dispensed. On the succeedingdispensing operation slide 68 will again be moved rearwardly. Package132 is prevented from being carried along with the slide 68 byengagement with the ends of the guide rails 36 and 38. Thus, the forwardend of slide 68 will be withdrawn from under package 132 so that itdrops into the dispensing chute 134, formed by a baifie 136 welded tobracket 60 and a guide 138 fixedby any suitable means between the sidesof housing 10.

We mount a panel 216 in the interior of cabinet 10 adjacent each sidethereof to provide a mounting means for the operating mechanisms of themachine, as will be explained in detail hereinafter. Actuating levers140, mounted on a common pivot rod 142 fixed between the panels 216, areassociated with the respective series of columns. The upper end of eachof the actuating levers 149 is bifurcated and engages a rod 144 carriedby a pair of cars 1 46 fixed on the rear end of the associated slide 68by means such as rivets 145. It will be appreciated that as the leverassociated with a particular series of columns is oscillated, the slide68 will be reciprocated by virtue of the connection provided between thebifurcated end of the lever 140 and the rod 144. We provide a commondrive means for all the actuating levers 140 of the machine. This drivemeans includes a motor 148 mounted by any convenient means on the righthand panel 216 as viewed in FIGURE 4. Motor 148 is adapted to beenergized by a means to be described in detail hereinafter. Whenenergized, motor 148 drives a shaft 151 on which we mount for rotationtherewith a cam member 152 having a heart-shaped cam track 154 formedtherein. A follower 156, carried by one arm 158 of a bell crank 166,rides in the track 154, Bell 6 crank 160 is pivotally mounted on a pivotrod 162 fixed at its ends in the panels 216. The other arm 164 of bellcrank 160 is pivotally secured to a link 166 by means of a pin 168. Theend of link 166 remote from pin 168 is pivotally secured to theoperating bar 179 of the machine. As is well known in the art, operatingbar 176 is mounted for reciprocation in slots 171 formed in therespective panels 216, as can be seen by reference to FIGURE 2.

Referring again to FIGURE 3, we provide a pair of operating bar drivelinks 172 pivotally mounted adjacent the respective ends of operatingbar 170. Each of these operating bar drive links is connected by a pin176 to an operating lever 174 pivotally mounted on rod 142. An operatinglever coupling bracket 178 is welded at either end to a flange 13%provided on the operating levers at the respective sides of the machine.

In order to provide a means for engaging the actuating lever 149associated with the selected tier of merchandisc with operating levercoupling bracket 178jwe provide each of the actuating levers with acoupling hook 182. Each of the coupling hooks 162 is pivotally mountedon the associated actuating lever by a pin 184. A bracket 186 is formedon one end of each of the hooks 132 and carries a bolt 188 on which wemount a tail piece 19%. A spring 192 surrounding bolt 188 urges the tailpiece 19% into engagement with bracket 186.

As will be explained in detail hereinafter, before a dispensingoperation is initiated, the bracket 1.78 holds the levers 141 in theirforward positions and tail piece 19%) engage the flange 193 of bracket40 to .hold the coupling hooks out of engagement with bracket 178. r

In order to engage a selected one of the coupling hooks 182 with theoperating lever coupling bracket 1'78, we provide a number of couplinghook actuating links 194, each corresponding to one series or tier ofcolumns of merchandise. Each of the links 194 is supported in slots 196and 198 formed in the flanges of bracket 40. A spring 206, fixed betweena pin 292 on the rear end of link 194 and a pin 294 on bracket 40,normally urges link 194 to the left as viewed in FIGURE 3. In order toactuate the respective links 194, we provide a number of selectingbuttons 24 slidably mounted in guides 296 formed on panel 16. Each ofthe selecting buttons has an actuating member 2G8 fixed thereto. Members208 are provided with lugs 21% adapted to engage the respective couplinghook actuating links 194. When a selecting button 24 is pushed, itsmember 298 pushes the associated link 194 to the rear against the actionof spring 200 so that the rear end of link 194 engages its associatedhook 182. This movement rotates the coupling hook182 to a position whereit engage the bracket 17 8.

It will be appreciated that selecting button 24, member 2113 and link194 comprise selecting means whereby the slide actuating means includinglever 140 and hook 182 may be coupled with the drive means provided bybar 17th, links 172, operating levers 174 and bracket 178.

Buttons 24 and members 208 also provide means for starting the drivemotor 148. Referring now to FIGURES 4 and 8, when a button 24 is pushed,its member 2413 engages an operating flap 212 welded to a shaft 214rotatably mounted in the panels 216. A lever 21% is fixed at one end onshaft 214 and is pivotally connected at its other end to a motor startlink 220 by a pin 222. As can be seen by reference to FIGURE 2, themotor start link 2241 is carried by a pair of pins 224 and 226 on apanel 216. The link 220 is formed with a pair of slots 228 and 23% bymeans of which it rides on the pins 224 and 226. A motor start lever 231is pivotally mounted on a pin 232 fixed in panel 216 and is joined tolink 220 by a pivot pin 234. When a selecting button 24 is pressed torotate shaft 214 and drive link 220, lever 231 is rotated in a directionto actuate the start button 236 of the motor stop-start switch 238,mounted on panel 216. As is well known in the art, switch 233 cannotstart motor 148 un- I less the coin register (not shown) of the machineis energized.

In order to stop motor 148 when a dispensing operation has beencompleted, We provide a motor stop link 240 slidably mounted in abracket 242 carried by panel 216. A projection 244 at an appropriatepoint on the periphery of member 152 engages and actuates link 24%) whenthe dispensing operation is complete. When actuated, link 240 engagesthe stop button 246 of the motor stop-start switch 238 to stop themotor.

As can be seen by reference to FIGURE 3, in order to prevent theactuation of more than a single coupling hook actuating link at aparticular time, we provide our machine with locking slides 248. Theseslides 248, well known to the art, are carried by a casing fixed to theflange 193 of bracket by any appropriate means. Referring now to FIGURE7, each of the coupling hook actuating links 194 is provided with are-entrant portion 252 along its length. Before a selecting button hasbeen pressed, this re-entrant portion 252 is in a position adiacent thelocking slides 248. When a link 194 has been actuated, however, there-entrant portion 252 is moved relative to the locking slides so thatone side thereof earns the slides sidewise to take up the slack in thelocking slide assembly. The remaining slides of the assembly are movedto a position where they butt against the bottoms of the re-entrantportions 252 in the remaining links 194 to prevent actuation of thelinks.

In order to prevent the momentum imparted by the fall. from carrying thedispensed article off tray 28 and permitting it to fall to the floor onwhich the machine is resting, we provide a pivoted baffle 254 extendingbetween panels 216. As can be seen by reference to FIGURES 3 and 8,baffle 254 is Welded to a pivot shaft 256 mounted in panel 216 at oneend and at the other end in a similar panel. A lever 258 is fixed onshaft 214 for rotation therewith at a point adjacent lever 218. Lever258 has a pin 260 fixed in one end which is adapted to engage an arm 262of a bell crank pivotally mounted on a pin 264 on the panel 216. Theother arm 266 of the bell crank has a pr0jection 268 thereon which isadapted to engage a lever 270 fixed on shaft 256. It will be apparentthat when a selecting button 24 is pushed to rotate shaft 214, lever 258rotates the bell crank including arms 262 and 266 to actuate lever 270to rotate shaft 256 to move baffle 254 to a position where it closes thedispensing chute 134. A lever 272 mounted for rotation with respect toshaft 214 is formed with a lug 274 adapted to engage link 218. A coilspring 276 fixed at one end in panel 21.6 bears with its other end onlever 272 to urge lug 274 resiliently into engagement with lever 218..This spring 275 provides a means for resetting the operating flap 212.and selecting button 24, as well as a means for opening baflie 25d topermit a package of cigarettes to drop into the dispensing tray 28 ofthe machine.

As can be seen by reference to FIGURE 7, each of the actuating levers140 extends through a slot 278 in its associated coupling hook actuatinglink 194. When a particular coupling hook 182 engages the operatinglever coupling bracket 178, it is carried toward the rear of the machineby the operating levers 174. The engaged hook 182 carries its associatedlever 140 rearwardly and also the corresponding link 124 by virtue ofthe engagement of the lever 140 in the slot 278. This slot constructionprevents the immediate return of the coupling hook actuating link 194when button 24 is released and enables spring 29! to assist in returninglever 14% to its initial position.

We have provided our machine with an improved mate dispensing assemblyas can be seen by reference to FIG- URES 2, 3, 9 and 10. This matchdispensing assembly includes a magazine, indicated generally by thereference character 280; which contains a number of columns of matchesto be dispensed. As can be seen by reference to FIGURE 10, compartmentscontaining the columns are formed by flanged partitions 282 spacedacross the magazine. Within each compartment we provide a pusher 284 forurging the columns of matches upwardly to a position where the packetscan be dispensed. A spring 2845 is fixed at one end to a pin 288. on thepusher 234. Spring 286 extends upwardly as viewed in FIGURE 9 around awheel 2% pivotally mounted on a pin 292 fixed in the back 298 of themagazine and downwardly to a rivet 296 adjacent the bottom of themagazine. This arrangement permits us to employ a large spring. it willbe appreciated that spring 236 urges pusher 284 upwardly against thecolumn of matches so that as the packets are dispensed from the columnthe remaining packets will be pushed upwardly in a position to bedispensed. During this movement of pusher 234 upwardly, pin 238 rides ina slot 224 formed in the back 2% adjacent each column.

Associated with each of the columns of matches is an actuating lever 300pivotally mounted on a rod 362 carried by a pair of ears 394- formedadjacent each side of the magazine 230. Each of the levers 300 carriesan ejector 3% at its upper end. Each of the electors 3% is adapted toextend into the magazine through a slot 308 to engage the uppermostpacket of matches in a column. The upper end 310 of each lever 3%extends through an opening 312 formed in the ejector 306. End 316 andopening 312 provide a driving connection between lever 30% and itsassociated ejector 3%. When the lever is driven forward, it pushes itsassociated ejector 396- into its magazine to eject a packet of matchesfrom the top of the column. In order to drive the respective levers 30%,we provide a plurality of drive links 314 slidably mounted in slots 316formed in a bracket 313 fixed between the panels 216. Each link 31 3 isprovided with a longitudinal slot 328 and is carried thereby on a pin322 formed on the lower end of the associated lever A spring 324 fixedat one end to pin 322 and at the other end in an opening 325 in the endof link 314 provides a resilient driving connection between :a lever 140and a drive link 314. A spring 331, fixed at one end to a respectivelever 300', and at its other end to pivot rod 302, provides a means forresetting the respective lever 300.

The magazine 280 is provided at each side with a pivot pin 325 by meansof which it is carried in the bifurcated arms of a U-shaped bracket 326fixed to the back panel of the machine, by any appropriate means such asbolts 328. It will be appreciated that the magazine may readily beremoved from the cabinet 10 merely by sliding the pins 325 out of thebifurcated arms of the bracket 326.

For loading, the magazine may merely be pivoted to the broken lineposition shown in FIGURE 2. In order to hold the magazine in positionwhen in use, we provide latches 336 each pivoted on apin 332 on an armof bracket 326. The ends of latches 330 remote from pins 332 are adaptedto engage a pair of pins 334 carried by each side of the magazine 280.Springs 338 are each fixed at one end in a hole 340 in a respectivelatch 330 and at the other end in a hole 341 in one of the respectivearms of bracket 326. Latches 330 normally hold the magazine 280 in anupright position. In order to ensure that the magazine is so held ,weprovide an additional latch 342 pivoted on a pin 344 on a panel 216 andnormally urged by a spring 348 to a position where it engages a flange346 on the bottom of the magazine. Spring 348 is fixed at one end tolatch 342 and at the other end to panel 216.

As can be seen by reference to FIGURE 3, the dispensing tray 28 isprovided with guides 350, each corresponding to a compartment ofmagazine 280. These guides 35% direct a packet of matches from thecolumn of the magazine 280 corresponding to the selected column into thedispensing tray 28 at the same location as that where the package ofcigarettes is dispensed.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, the motor drive shaft has a crank 350 fixedon its end. Crank 350 is connected to a link 352 by a pin 354. Link 352is connected by a pin 356 to one arm of a bell crank 358 pivotallymounted on a shaft 162. The other arm of the bell crank is connected bya pin 36% to a link 3562 having a pin 364 thereon. Link 362 is slidablymounted in a bracket 366 fixed on panel 216 by any suitable means. Asshaft 150 rotates, link 3652 is vertically reciprocated through thelinkage described so that pin 364 tilts the coin tray of the machinecoin register (not shown) to accept the coins deposited in the register.

In operation, the customer first deposits coins in a sum equal to thepurchase price of the article to be purchased in the coin register (notshown) of the machine. As is well known in the art, the coin registerenables the completion of the drive motor circuit when a selectingbutton is pressed. The customer then actuates one of the selectingbuttons 24 and the corresponding selecting member 268 rotates operatingflap 212 as can be seen by reference to FIGURE 8. This operation rotatesshaft 21d and actuates the motor start link 220 to start the drive motor143. The rotation of shaft 214 also actuates the bell crank includingarms 262 and 266 to drive shaft 256 to close the baffie 254.

Actuation of one of the selecting buttons 24 also moves the couplinghook actuating link 194 to the right as viewed in FIGURE 3 to rotatehook 182 to a position where it engages the operating lever couplingbracket 173. The movement of link 1%. causes the re-entrant portion 252to engage and actuate the locking slides 248 in a manner well known inthe art so that no other link 194 can be actuated. It will beappreciated that the connection between the actuating lever 140 and link194 provided by slot 278 prevents link 1% from being returned by spring209 until the dispensing operation is complete. Thereby a dishonestcustomer cannot actuate one link 194, stop the machine, and actuateanother link 1% before lever 140 starts its rearward movement.

Before the dispensing operation is initiated, slide 63 is in a positionwhere its forward end supports a pack of cigarettes over the dispensingchute 134 and the pushers 74, 86, and 98 are in the positions shown infull lines in FIGURE 3. When a coupling hook 182 has been engaged withthe operating lever coupling bracket 178 in the manner described anddrive motor 148 has been energized, operating bar 170 is drivenrearwardly by cam member 152 acting through bell crank 160 and link 166.As the operating bar moves rearwardly, it pushes operating levers 174and bracket 17% attached thereto to the rear. By virtue of the couplingbetween bracket 178 and hook 182, the actuating lever 14% correspondingto the series of columns whose hook 182 has been engaged is drivenrearwardly. The actuating lever 140 carries its associated slide 68 tothe rear through the medium of the connection between the bifurcated endof the lever 140 and rod 144 fixed to the carriage. As the slide movesto the rear, its forward end is withdrawn from under the pack 132 nextto be dispensed to permit it to fall into chute 134 onto baffle 254. Thepackage will be allowed to fall onto dispensing tray 28 when button 24is released and spring 272 resets the flap 254. This prevents themomentum imparted by the fall from carrying the dispensed article offtray 28 and permitting it to fall to the floor on which the machine isresting. Pushers 74 and 86 slide back under the packs in columns 50 and48. The pushers 74 and 86 may be cammed slightly downwardly against theaction of their associated springs 82 and 94 during this movement by theweight of the columns of packs. When the slide 68 reaches a point nearthe end of its rearward stroke, back pusher 98 engages bracket 34 and iscammed upwardly thereby so that its lug .124 snaps into engagement withthe hook 118 formed on latch 112. This latching arrangement keeps theportion 110 of pusher )8 in its upright or active position during theforward or return stroke of the slide.

When the rear stroke is completed, the portions 78, 88, and 110 of therespective pushers 74, 86, and 98 are in positions to engage the lowestpack of cigarettes in each column. During the return or forward strokeof the slide 68, the pushers carry a pack from each column forwardthrough a distance equal to one column. In the course of this forwardmovement, the battles 79 and 31 are moved to the broken line positionsshown in FIGURE 3. It is to be noted that during this return stroke thefront of bracket .178 engages the selected actuating lever to provide apositive return for the lever. This positive return is desirable sinceon the dispensing stroke the slide need only overcome its frictionalengagement with the columns of cigarettes while on the forward or returnstroke, suflicient energy must be supplied to push three packs ofcigarettes forward from out of the respective columns. Spring 200 alsoaids in this return movement by virtue of the connection providedbetween link 194 and lever 140 by slot 278.

-At a point near the end of the return stroke, leg 114 of latch 112engages bracket 128 to release lug 124 and permit the rear pusher 98 tofall into a position where its portion 110 is below the level of thelowest pack in any column. At the end of the return stroke the tailpiece engages flange 1% to lift the coupling hook 182 out of engagementwith the operating bar coupling bracket 178. The pack of cigarettes 132which has been dumped onto baffle 254- has been released to fall intothe dispensing tray 28 when baflie 254 is opened. This baffie opens whenspring 276 resets the operating flap 212 by rotating shaft 214 upon therelease of button 24.

When the selected actuating link is carried rearwardly by bracket 178during the dispensing stroke, link 314 is driven forwardly through theresilient connection provided by spring 324 so that its forward endengages lever 300 to push the ejector 306 into the column of matchescorresponding to the selected series of columns of cigarettes. Asejector 306 moves into the magazine, it pushes a packet of matches intothe dispensing tray. On the return stroke, link 3114 is reset by theengagement of pin 322 with slot 329 and the lever 300 is reset by itsassociated spring 301.

At an appropriate point in the cycle of operation the coin tray of thecoin register (not shown) is actuated by pin 364 to accept the coins.When the dispensing operation is complete, projection 244 on cam member152 engages motor stop link 240 to drive it rearwardly to actuate a stopbutton 246 of switch 238 and stop the drive motor. The machine is nowready for the next succeeding dispensing cycle.

' When it is desired to load the machine,,' the cabinet door 16 is swungopen on its hinges 17. Latch 61 is lifted out of engagement with pin 65and the forward column of each series swung outwardly around the pivot64 to the broken line position shown in FIGURE 2. Access may thenreadily be had to columns 46 and 48 for loading. Columns 50 are thenloaded and partitions 52 swung back into'place and latch 61 locked. Inorder to load the match assembly, latches 330 are moved out ofengagement with pins 334, latch 342 is unlocked and the entire assemblyswung to the position shown in broken lines in FIGURE 2. The magazine28%) may then readily be loaded. The assembly is then swung back to thefull line position and latches 330 and 342 locked. During the loading ofthe match magazine, pushers 234 may readily be removed from theirrespective columns and re-inserted after loading. When the columns of aparticular series are empty, the customer may be apprised of this factby an appropriate marking such as Sold Out on the forward end of slide68. The customer may readily view this legend through the window 26.

It will be seen that We have accomplished the objects of our invention.We have provided an improved electric console cigarettemerchandisingmachine which has a large capacity and which may dispense agreat number of different brands of cigarettes. Our improvedmerchandising machine eiliciently utilizes the available cabinet spaceand, as a result, is shorter than machines of the prior art. it may beinstalled in locations heretofore inaccessible to merchandisingmachines. Our machine is provided with means facilitating its loadinMeans are also provided to prevent jamming of packs of cigarettes inadjacent columns. We have provided an improved match dispensing assemblywhich dispenses matches and packages of cigarettes at the same locationalong the dispensing tray. Moreover, our machine displays the package ofcigarettes ext to be dispensed to the purchaser and informs thepurchaser of the fact that the supply of a particular brand ofcigarettes is exhausted.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are ofutility and may 'be employed without reference to other features andsubcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of ourclaims. It is further obvious that various changes may be made indetails within the scope of our claims without departing from the spiritof our invention. it will therefore be understood that our'invention isnot to be limited to the specific details shown and described.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is:

1. A merchandising machine for dispensing packages of merchandiseincluding in combination a cabinet having a window, a plurality of tiersof columnar containers each containing a supply of packages ofmerchandise to be dispensed, means mounting said tiers of containerswithin said cabinet with the containers of each tier disposed one behindthe other, a plurality of dispensing slides associated with therespective tiers of containers, respective extensions on said slides,guide means mounting \said slides for reciprocating movement below saidtiers, means normally positioning said slides with said extensions belowsaid window, a delivery chute, means mounting said chute in said cabinetbelow said slide extensions in their normal positions, each of saidslides being arranged to support a package of merchandise from itsassociated tier of containers over said chute in a position to be viewedthrough said window, a plurality of pushers carried by each of saidslides, each of said pushers being associated with a respectivecontainer, respective actuating means for said slides, means for drivingsaid actuating means to reciprocate said slides first with a dispensingstroke and then with a return stroke on each operation of the machineand means for selectively coupling one of said actuating means, withsaid driving means to cause the slide extension corresponding to, theone actuating means to move out from under the package supported therebyon'the dispensing stroke and to cause the pushers associated with theone actuating means to engage and carry forward packages of cigarettesfrom their corresponding containers to cause the slide to move a freshpackage to a position to be viewed through said window.

2. A merchandising machine for dispensing packages of merchandiseincluding in combination a cabinet having a window, a plurality ofcolumnar containers housing sup plies of merchandise to be dispensed,means mounting said containers one behind the other in said cabinet, adispensing slide, an extension on said slide, guide means mounting saidslide for reciprocating movement below said containers, means normallypositioning said slide in said cabinet with said extension below saidwindow, a delivery chute, means mounting said delivery chute below saidslide extension in its normal position, said slide extension beingarranged to support a package of merchandise over said chute in aposition to be viewed through said window, a plurality of pusherscarried by said slide, each of said pushers corresponding to a columncontaining a supply of merchandise, actuating means for said slide,means for driving said actuating means to reciprocate said slide firstwith a dispensing stroke and then with a return stroke on each operationof the machine and means for coupling said actuating means to said drivemeans to cause said slide extension to move out from under the packageof merchandise supported over the chute during the dispensing stroke andto cause said pushers to engage and carry forward packages from theirassociated containers during the return stroke whereby said slideextension positions a package in view through said window, saidactuating means'including an actuating lever, said coupling meanscomprising a member pivotally carried by said actuating lever andadapted to be engaged with said drive means, means for moving saidcoupling means out of engagement with the drive means when the slide isin its forward position at the end of a return stroke and resilientmeans providing engagement between the coupling means and the means formoving the coupling means.

3. A merchandising machine for dispensing packages of merchandiseincluding in combination a cabinet having a window, a plurality ofcolumnar containers housing supplies of. merchandise to be dispensed,means mounting said containers one behind the other in said cabinet, adispensing slide, an extension on said slide, guide means mounting saidslide for reciprocating movement below said containers, means normallypositioning said slide in said cabinet with said extension below saidwindow, a delivery chut'e, rneansmounting said delivery chute below saidslide extension in its normal position, said slide extension beingarranged to support a package of mercham disc over said chute in aposition to be viewed through said window, a plurality of pushers,carried by said slide, each of said pushers corresponding to, a columncontaining a supply of merchandise, actuating means for said slide,means for driving said actuating means to reciprocate said slide firstwith a dispensing stroke and then with a return stroke on each operationof the machine and means for coupling said actuating means to said drivemeans to cause said slide extension to move out from under the packageof merchandise supported over the chute during the dispensing stroke andto cause said pushers to engage and carry forward packages from theirassociated containers during the return stroke whereby said slideextension positions a package in view through said window, one or" saidpushers being provided with an upstanding portion, means pivotallymounting said one pusher on said slide, means normally urging said onepusher to a position at which its upstanding portion is below thesurface of said slide, means for moving said one pusher at a point nearthe end of said dispensing stroke against the action of said resilientmeans to a raised position at which its upstanding portion extends abovesaid slide upper surface, means for latching said one pusher in itsraised position and means for releasing said latching means at the endof said return stroke.

4. A merchandising machine for dispensing packaged merchandise includingin combination a plurality of columns containing packages of merchandiseto be dispensed, said columns being arranged one behind the other, guidemeans disposed below said columns, a dispensing slide carried by saidguide means and having an opening formed therein, a plurality of pusherseach pivotally mounted on said slide, each of said pushers beingassociated with a respective column, each of said pushers being formedwith an upstanding portion, resilient means urging one of said pushersto a position at which its upstanding portion extends through saidopening, resilient means urging another oneof said pushers to a positionat which its upstanding portion lies below the upper surface of saidslide, a dispensing chute, said slide arranged to support a package ofmerchandise over said chute, actuating means connected to said slide,drive means for said actuating means, means for coupling said actuatingmeans to said drive means to reciprocate said slide rearwardly. andforwardly of the machine, means for moving said other pusher to aposition at which its upstanding portion is above the upper surface ofsaid slide at a point near the end of the rearward stroke of the slide,latch means for holding said other pusher in its raised position andmeans for releasing said latch means at a point near the end of theforward stroke of the slide, the arrangement being such that on therearward stroke of the slide the package of merchandise supportedthereby falls into the dispensing chute and that on the forward strokeof the slide each of said pushers engages and carries forward a packageof merchandise from its associated column.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS435,370 Stevens Aug. 26, 1890 874,236 Pond Dec. 17, 1907 1,420,834 GilesJune 27, 1922 1,564,540 Dinwiddie Dec. 8, 1925 1,763,352 Giles June 10,1930 1,766,297 Macke June 24, 1930 1,801,165 Macke Apr. 14, 19311,807,404 Goss May 26, 1931 14 Giles July 14, 1931 Larsen Feb. 21, 1933Leve et a1 Dec. 12, 1933 Fry Mar. 12, 1935 Fry June 2, 1936 Hoban Dec.28, 1937 Du Grenier Apr. 16, 1940 Gabrielsen Sept. 2, 1941 Brodie Apr.14, 1942 Pease; Jan. 19, 1943 Gabrielsen Jan. 18, 1944 Wilder July 10,1945 Steiner Sept. 12, 1950 Drmsler Apr. 3, 1951 Haase Dec. 11,1951 FryApr. 22, 1952 Wilder Apr. 7, 1953 Gabrielsen May 12, 1953 Gross Nov. 2,1954 Grielsen et "a1. Oct. 8, 1957

